Trom's Weekly Video Game Review Thread
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Darklove666
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Trombonus said:And of course, Hugo Weaving is Megatron in the new Transformers movie.
Look, I threadjacked my own thread.
Well, if he does the voice for the game too, then it shouldn't count as a threadjack. You're just getting a head start on your review. (Yeah that sounds good)
Trombonus
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Actually, Frank Welker is doing the voice for the Video game (and should be doing the voice for the movie dagnabbit).Darklove666 said:Well, if he does the voice for the game too, then it shouldn't count as a threadjack. You're just getting a head start on your review. (Yeah that sounds good)
Darklove666
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Trombonus said:
Really? hmmm. didn't know that. (Deja vu)
well, I still think he has a cool voice for Megatron. I do wish they had kept it consistent though.
any thoughts on what your next review will be on?
Trombonus
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Well, it'll be something other than an RPG for ure, but just what that is I don't know yet.Darklove666 said:Really? hmmm. didn't know that. (Deja vu)
well, I still think he has a cool voice for Megatron. I do wish they had kept it consistent though.
any thoughts on what your next review will be on?
Darklove666
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Cool. Well, I have to get up in 6 hours so it's off to dreamland for me. See you later dude.
Well, I have to get up in 6 hours so it's off to dreamland for me. See you later dude.
Darklove666
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Before I jump off, I forgot to tell you, I left a comment for you on the blurt thread. 
Check it out if you get a sec.
C-ya.
Check it out if you get a sec. C-ya.
Trombonus
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So, I'm thinking about getting an XBox 360. I have to get a job first, and there are other things I want to get first, but I'm seriously starting to consider an XBox 360. The debate for me is whether I want the XBox 360 over the PS3. If I were to base my opinion on the games so far it'd be XBox 360 hands down, but the allure of Final Fantasy XIII and Kingdom Hearts 3 is just too much. There are rumblings that Square-Enix will rescind its exclusivity of these games to PS3 and bring it out for the XBox 360 as well, just as so many other games have done. Were this to happen, I would lose absolutely any interest in the PS3 I may have had. Of course, these games aren't due out for a long time, so it's basically a waiting game for me.
Make no mistake, if FFXIII and KH3 remain PS3 exclusives, I'd be getting a PS3. I resisted getting a Playstation for the longest time, but there were just too many awesome games available for it, so eventually preordered a PS2 when I heard about it. Besides, I was getting tired of borrowing my sister's PS so I could play FFVII and Chrono Cross. I wont be so foolish to assume that I could resist getting a PS3 when FFXIII and KH3 are available for it, despite my severe dislike for the thing and its price.
For the record I AM getting a Wii. It's just a choice between XBox 360 and PS3.
Make no mistake, if FFXIII and KH3 remain PS3 exclusives, I'd be getting a PS3. I resisted getting a Playstation for the longest time, but there were just too many awesome games available for it, so eventually preordered a PS2 when I heard about it. Besides, I was getting tired of borrowing my sister's PS so I could play FFVII and Chrono Cross. I wont be so foolish to assume that I could resist getting a PS3 when FFXIII and KH3 are available for it, despite my severe dislike for the thing and its price.
For the record I AM getting a Wii. It's just a choice between XBox 360 and PS3.
deathlynx
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Well, I've heard rumors that Square has been bought by Macrosquish, but haven't been able to confirm that at all...if so, no big surprise they'd be out for X360...and FFXIII + XIV are contracted to come out for the X360...
Though I refuse to get an XBox simply because I refuse to support them any more than I absolutely have to...
Though I refuse to get an XBox simply because I refuse to support them any more than I absolutely have to...
Trombonus
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Well, I wanted to do a non-RPG for this weeks review, and could think of no better title to review than Transformers for the Playstation 2. Yes, that meant removing Final Fantasy XII from my system for the first time since I bought it a couple months ago. I put it in and forgot just how crazy this game is. This game is hard folks. Not being much of an FPS guide, I couldn't make it out of the first level on the easiest difficulty level without using several codes. Don't let that discourage you though. If you've played Halo you could more than likely pick this one up just as easily. Anyway, without further ado, here's my review of Transformers.
Transformers
System: Playstation 2
Genre: First Person Shooter/Action
Transformers is set in the world of the Armada line. The Transformers brand has undegone several different phases in recent years, and each one had its own gimmick. The gimmick in this line were the Mini Cons. This was a third race of Transformers who had fled their home planet of Cybertron a million years ago, and crash landed on the Earth and its moon. The Mini Cons were put in a deep sleep, stored digitally on special discs.
In the present day, a group of kids explores a deep cavern, and stumbles upon the remnants of the Mini Cons crashed ship, awakening three Mini Cons in the process. A signal goes out through the farthest reaches of space and eventually reaches Cybertron. Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, realizes that Megatron, the leader of the evil Decepticons, will stop at nothing to kidnap and enslave the Mini Cons and use the immense power they hold to enslave the Autobots and conquer the universe. So, Optimus and a select group of Autobots venture to Earth to stop the Decepticons, who set up camp on the Moon. Each side claims Mini Cons for their own use, although the Mini Cons generally cooperate with the Autobots of their own free will, as the Autobots would never force them to do anything. The Decepticons are a different story, reprogramming and enslaving the Mini Cons for their own benefit.
You play as the Autobots, and can select from three main characters. The first is Hot Shot, who is the weakest physically, but is also the fastest. The second is Red Alert, who is the most well rounded of the group, and has the strongest defense. The third is the legendary Optimus Prime, who is the Strongest of the three characters, but also the slowest. He also has the highest Mini Con capacity, which will be explained a bit later. The official power rankings go as follows:
Hot Shot
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Speed: 5
Power: 4
Mini Con Partner: Jolt
Red Alert
Attack: 4
Defense: 5
Speed: 4
Power: 4
Mini Con Partner: Longarm
Optimus Prime
Attack: 5
Defense: 4
Speed: 3
Power: 5
Mini Con Partner: Sparkplug
Gameplay is the same for every Autobot. You run around and shoot things. Pretty simple. However, the real gem of gameplay is the ability to transform into an alternate vehicular mode. I mean, come on, it's Transformers! There is no greater satisfaction than watching a Decepticlone explode as you plow into it in vehicle mode. It also makes exploration a heck of a lot faster. However, certain Decepticlones are too strong, and you'll bounce right off (which is also kinda fun to watch).
Mini Cons are important because they significantly increase the power of a Transformer by "powerlinking" with them. The game is no less different. You have two objectives in the game. First, stop the Decepticons and their massive army of Decepticlones from enslaving the Earth and capturing all the Mini Cons. Second, rescue the Mini Cons before the Decepticons can capture them. There is a significant selection of Mini Cons, all of which offer different power ups for their partner. You can equip four at a time, and each Mini Con is assigned a certain color. By equiping Mini Cons of the same color, you gain a boost in power. The more Mini Cons of the same color group you have equiped, the stronger their power boost is. Certain Mini Cons provide weapon power ups, either for you main weapon, or by adding on a peripheral weapon. Other Mini Cons provide special power ups and abilities such as armor, energy shields, dash moves, higher jumps, radar and even flight. Mini Cons are found during gameplay, either through story related events or by searching your surroundings.
You also have a partner Mini Con specific to each Autobot that follows you around everywhere, and also helps in combat. The greatest benefit this particular Mini Con provides is the Powerlink ability, which slows down time (well, technically it speeds up your character, but in gameplay terms it slows everything down). The main drawback of this is that it drains your health, or Energon, so you can't use it all the time.
While you have three Autobots and a selection of Mini Cons to choose from, the Decepticons have an legion of soldiers known as Decepticlones. These Decepticlones come in various forms from simple drones to humongous bruisers, and each have their own abilities. They also fight in huge packs, so if you see one it's a safe bet that there are four or five more hanging around close by. It's also a fair assumption that if you see a Mini Con, Data Con or save portal nearby, there will be a significant force of Decepticlones. These bad guys get smarter and stronger as the game goes along, utilizing their environment to the best of their abilities. They constantly dodge your fire and hide behind some sort of cover, making your job extra tough. Those that don't are so freaking huge and strong that they don't need to. You can spend a significant portion of time trying to take out one enemy.
As tough as the Decepticlones are, the actual Decepticons are even tougher. Cyclonus, Tidal Wave, Starscream and Megatron all make appearances as boss characters, and these fights are HARD! Cyclonus and Starscream are lightning quick and Tidal Wave is just massive. Imagine an ant trying to shoot you. Yeah, it's just that ridiculous. As for Megatron, I can't say because I haven't gotten that far.
The three major locations in each level are easily distinguishable, and can be seen from far away, although it's not always clear how you're supposed to reach them. A bright green light is the marker for a Mini Con. A bright yellow light designates the location of a Data Con. When you find a Data Con you unlock an extra in the opening menu. These extras include art from the game and toyline, music clips, instruction booklets, and even commercials. Just this afternoon I unlocked a couple of PSA's from the old 80's show. There's a ton of stuff to find and unlock, which I personally love. The Save Portals are shown by a Blue Light, and allow you to head back to your headquarters. From here you can change Autobots and tweak your Mini Con lineup. You can also go to previously cleared areas to search for more Mini Cons. This is so great because you don't have to complete an entire mission in one sitting. You can leave a level part way through and come back later. If you do leave, your energon gets fully replenished as well, so you can leave and come right back with full health.
The music is alright, but not fantastic. I find it does set the mood somewhat, and I like the fact that it is rather soft and ominous when things are peaceful (which isn't often), but intensify when the bad guys show up. The sound effects are pretty standard too, with your standard laser blasts and explosions. However, it does make the beloved transformation sound when you change forms.
The graphics are great. Each level is huge and very well detailed. They aren't the greatest graphics around, but pretty darn good. The characters look fantastic though. They aren't in pristine condition like in the shows, but have quite a significant ammount of scarring and pain chipping, as you would expect from a bunch of robots at war. They just look really great and are really well animated.
There is one thing that really bothers me about this game, and that is the lack of continuity between the game and the toys/comics/cartoon. There are so many Transformers left out of the game, and all the Mini Cons (with the exception of the partner Mini Cons) are completely made up. There were so many fantastic Mini Cons they could have used. I think that using them and including more characters would have really taken this game up a few levels. Still, it is a great game. I also wish it would have been a tad bit easier on the easy setting, but that's just me.
Graphics: 88
Sound: 85
Gameplay: 93
Storyline: 85
Overall: 87.75
Transformers
System: Playstation 2
Genre: First Person Shooter/Action
Transformers is set in the world of the Armada line. The Transformers brand has undegone several different phases in recent years, and each one had its own gimmick. The gimmick in this line were the Mini Cons. This was a third race of Transformers who had fled their home planet of Cybertron a million years ago, and crash landed on the Earth and its moon. The Mini Cons were put in a deep sleep, stored digitally on special discs.
In the present day, a group of kids explores a deep cavern, and stumbles upon the remnants of the Mini Cons crashed ship, awakening three Mini Cons in the process. A signal goes out through the farthest reaches of space and eventually reaches Cybertron. Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, realizes that Megatron, the leader of the evil Decepticons, will stop at nothing to kidnap and enslave the Mini Cons and use the immense power they hold to enslave the Autobots and conquer the universe. So, Optimus and a select group of Autobots venture to Earth to stop the Decepticons, who set up camp on the Moon. Each side claims Mini Cons for their own use, although the Mini Cons generally cooperate with the Autobots of their own free will, as the Autobots would never force them to do anything. The Decepticons are a different story, reprogramming and enslaving the Mini Cons for their own benefit.
You play as the Autobots, and can select from three main characters. The first is Hot Shot, who is the weakest physically, but is also the fastest. The second is Red Alert, who is the most well rounded of the group, and has the strongest defense. The third is the legendary Optimus Prime, who is the Strongest of the three characters, but also the slowest. He also has the highest Mini Con capacity, which will be explained a bit later. The official power rankings go as follows:
Hot Shot
Attack: 3
Defense: 3
Speed: 5
Power: 4
Mini Con Partner: Jolt
Red Alert
Attack: 4
Defense: 5
Speed: 4
Power: 4
Mini Con Partner: Longarm
Optimus Prime
Attack: 5
Defense: 4
Speed: 3
Power: 5
Mini Con Partner: Sparkplug
Gameplay is the same for every Autobot. You run around and shoot things. Pretty simple. However, the real gem of gameplay is the ability to transform into an alternate vehicular mode. I mean, come on, it's Transformers! There is no greater satisfaction than watching a Decepticlone explode as you plow into it in vehicle mode. It also makes exploration a heck of a lot faster. However, certain Decepticlones are too strong, and you'll bounce right off (which is also kinda fun to watch).
Mini Cons are important because they significantly increase the power of a Transformer by "powerlinking" with them. The game is no less different. You have two objectives in the game. First, stop the Decepticons and their massive army of Decepticlones from enslaving the Earth and capturing all the Mini Cons. Second, rescue the Mini Cons before the Decepticons can capture them. There is a significant selection of Mini Cons, all of which offer different power ups for their partner. You can equip four at a time, and each Mini Con is assigned a certain color. By equiping Mini Cons of the same color, you gain a boost in power. The more Mini Cons of the same color group you have equiped, the stronger their power boost is. Certain Mini Cons provide weapon power ups, either for you main weapon, or by adding on a peripheral weapon. Other Mini Cons provide special power ups and abilities such as armor, energy shields, dash moves, higher jumps, radar and even flight. Mini Cons are found during gameplay, either through story related events or by searching your surroundings.
You also have a partner Mini Con specific to each Autobot that follows you around everywhere, and also helps in combat. The greatest benefit this particular Mini Con provides is the Powerlink ability, which slows down time (well, technically it speeds up your character, but in gameplay terms it slows everything down). The main drawback of this is that it drains your health, or Energon, so you can't use it all the time.
While you have three Autobots and a selection of Mini Cons to choose from, the Decepticons have an legion of soldiers known as Decepticlones. These Decepticlones come in various forms from simple drones to humongous bruisers, and each have their own abilities. They also fight in huge packs, so if you see one it's a safe bet that there are four or five more hanging around close by. It's also a fair assumption that if you see a Mini Con, Data Con or save portal nearby, there will be a significant force of Decepticlones. These bad guys get smarter and stronger as the game goes along, utilizing their environment to the best of their abilities. They constantly dodge your fire and hide behind some sort of cover, making your job extra tough. Those that don't are so freaking huge and strong that they don't need to. You can spend a significant portion of time trying to take out one enemy.
As tough as the Decepticlones are, the actual Decepticons are even tougher. Cyclonus, Tidal Wave, Starscream and Megatron all make appearances as boss characters, and these fights are HARD! Cyclonus and Starscream are lightning quick and Tidal Wave is just massive. Imagine an ant trying to shoot you. Yeah, it's just that ridiculous. As for Megatron, I can't say because I haven't gotten that far.
The three major locations in each level are easily distinguishable, and can be seen from far away, although it's not always clear how you're supposed to reach them. A bright green light is the marker for a Mini Con. A bright yellow light designates the location of a Data Con. When you find a Data Con you unlock an extra in the opening menu. These extras include art from the game and toyline, music clips, instruction booklets, and even commercials. Just this afternoon I unlocked a couple of PSA's from the old 80's show. There's a ton of stuff to find and unlock, which I personally love. The Save Portals are shown by a Blue Light, and allow you to head back to your headquarters. From here you can change Autobots and tweak your Mini Con lineup. You can also go to previously cleared areas to search for more Mini Cons. This is so great because you don't have to complete an entire mission in one sitting. You can leave a level part way through and come back later. If you do leave, your energon gets fully replenished as well, so you can leave and come right back with full health.
The music is alright, but not fantastic. I find it does set the mood somewhat, and I like the fact that it is rather soft and ominous when things are peaceful (which isn't often), but intensify when the bad guys show up. The sound effects are pretty standard too, with your standard laser blasts and explosions. However, it does make the beloved transformation sound when you change forms.
The graphics are great. Each level is huge and very well detailed. They aren't the greatest graphics around, but pretty darn good. The characters look fantastic though. They aren't in pristine condition like in the shows, but have quite a significant ammount of scarring and pain chipping, as you would expect from a bunch of robots at war. They just look really great and are really well animated.
There is one thing that really bothers me about this game, and that is the lack of continuity between the game and the toys/comics/cartoon. There are so many Transformers left out of the game, and all the Mini Cons (with the exception of the partner Mini Cons) are completely made up. There were so many fantastic Mini Cons they could have used. I think that using them and including more characters would have really taken this game up a few levels. Still, it is a great game. I also wish it would have been a tad bit easier on the easy setting, but that's just me.
Graphics: 88
Sound: 85
Gameplay: 93
Storyline: 85
Overall: 87.75
Darklove666
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I hate a alot of what Microsoft stands for...but Sony really teed me off with their attitude about the PS3. Other than my hard drive failing, I have to admit I've been pretty happy with my 360.
G
Guest
Guest
Well, it's payday.
Kids got new Pokemon DS games. Diamond for son, Pearl for daughter.
They're busily gaming as we speak.
The first Pokemon both kids chose was a turtwig.
(I had to look to see that it was a teeny turtle.)
Anyway, happiness abounds this evening.
Kids got new Pokemon DS games. Diamond for son, Pearl for daughter.
They're busily gaming as we speak.
The first Pokemon both kids chose was a turtwig.
(I had to look to see that it was a teeny turtle.)
Anyway, happiness abounds this evening.
deathlynx
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We picked up the strategy guide for it last night, and Mrs is going to go Pearl and I get Diamond it seems...Although I highly reccomend waiting for May 27th when apparently the updated Pokedex comes out...almost 500 pokemon out there nowadays!
Darklove666
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Pikachu--Pika-Pika-Pi! (You know where it's from)
(You know where it's from)
Darklove666
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Trombonus said:Team Rocket's blasting off again!
You know, if you guys keep talking about these games I may have to pick one up.
(I'm a sucker for games on the DS)
Trombonus
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You cannot resist the allure of Pokemon, so don't even try.Darklove666 said:You know, if you guys keep talking about these games I may have to pick one up.
Join us and rejoice in the revelation of Pikachu.
Darklove666
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Trombonus said:You cannot resist the allure of Pokemon, so don't even try.
So what game would be considered a good "jumping on point" as I'm sure the first few are rare and probably getting up there in price?
rgraham666
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Trombonus said:You cannot resist the allure of Pokemon, so don't even try.
I'm a heretic, so I must.
It's my job.
The pay sucks but I love it.
Darklove666
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Ever seen the Robot Chicken pokemon sketch?
